Top 25 talk

[pjunito]

I think it was William Wallace who said: "It's all for nothing if you don't have Albertus Magnus Basketball"

[Pat Coleman]

For Albertus, did you exclude the Yale game?  That could seriously skew their results.

What skews their results more: one game versus Yale or all the other games against terrible teams? Even with the Yale game, Massey rates their schedule as the 364th most difficult in Division III.

It is tough for a team like Albertus; none of the top teams in the region want to play them (It's a lose, lose for them). Albertus have been trying to schedule tougher out of conference games for 3 years now and everyone says no. Makes it hard to move up on SOS when the conference they play in is so weak.

I'm not saying they are a top 25 team (in my opinion, they are probably 35-40 team), but it is unfair to kill their SOS when other schools repeatly say no. Becker won't play them anymore after two consecutive loses to Albertus.

There are plenty of available regional opponents for Albertus. I can't imagine that not a single one will play them. Call Ramapo.

[pjunito]

Let's not kid ourselves Pat, adding Ramapo isn't going to move the SOS or Massey Ranking up 150 spots...

Here are there non conference opponents:
At West Conn, Wesleyan, Mitchell, Trinity, at Yale, Worcester St, At Coast Guard... West Conn is usually a solid program, Wes was ranked when they played Albertus, and trinity and Coast Guard usually have competitive teams. I don't deny, it is average at best. But, it isn't like Albertus is playing Souther VT, Umass Darthmouth, and Lesley along with Mitchell. Because the conference is so weak, the schedule would have to include teams like Williams, WPI, Ramapo, NYU, F and M to really make a dent in the SOS.

Would you agree?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Ramapo would be a large improvement because the Roadrunners do play good out of conference games (i.e. North Central this season) - though the NJAC has made it more complicated. Furthermore, the NJAC isn't a bad conference for the SOS.

Wesleyan probably shouldn't have been ranked, but I understand the thought with how much they brought back; they aren't even close to living up to that potential. Coast Guard hasn't had a decent team in a number of years (last winning season was '07-'08). West Conn was predicted to not have a good year this time around because of how much they lost. Mitchell??? Really? Worcester State hasn't had a winning season since... Certainly Trinity is having a down year... and Albertus got thumped by Yale - but at least it was probably a pay day.

I think the point is, scrap the Coast Guards, Mitchells and maybe others for Ramapos, Rhode Islands, Stevens, NYUs, etc. and just two games could help their SOS. By the way, Massey's number means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Can they get all the teams they want? Maybe not, but just a few will make a difference... PLUS wins over regionally ranked opponents goes a long way. Albertus has none.

[pjunito]

D-mac,

I agree with your assessment of the schedule (except, you can't really fault Albertus for West Conn and Wes not being as good as last year or what they were suppose to be). I would love nothing more than to have Albertus play a stronger out of conference schedule. I don't believe they are as good as last year and I watched every game since 2006. My point is this... They play 18 games in a conference that has one other team finish with a .600 win percentage. This will always kill SOS. However, I agree, a strong non conf schedule will allow the regional rankings to judge them more accurately. Good wins/losses agaisnt strong competition will help that.

Since the GNAC has an automatic bid, it doesn't hurt to play regional powers.. Win the conference, get an opportunity in March. That simple. I am on your side, let's see if the schedule is tougher next year.

And Yale is the kind of game that is good for a small liberal arts division 3 game to play.  Most d3 teams don't have the depth to match up with a Division 1 school. It's an experience game, thats what Divison 3 athletics can proovide. An experience to play a D1 team in a great setting. if you are competitive, it makes it a better experience!

[GnacBballFan]

Albertus last 3 losses to D3 opponents in regular season have come without their head coach Mitch Oliver present. Pretty interesting side stat............I watch a lot of ct d3 bball. This Albertus team is not as good as lasts yr(obv no askew). Depth is short and if their big man gets in foul trouble early they are in trouble. Some of their scores though look like 9-10 point games but in fact were blowouts with the bench being emptied early. I think this team is one of the better teams regionally right after the top tier teams. A first round NCAA win seems probable. The kid Watson may be best player in the state, 6'4 guard who shoots lights out and cannot be guarded one on one. I out Albertus 35-45 nationally

[Greek Tragedy]

I think the point is, scrap the Coast Guards, Mitchells and maybe others for Ramapos, Rhode Islands, Stevens, NYUs, etc. and just two games could help their SOS. By the way, Massey's number means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Isn't Massey's SOS one of the primary criteria?  Or does the NCAA use a different SOS (their own)?

[magicman]

I think the point is, scrap the Coast Guards, Mitchells and maybe others for Ramapos, Rhode Islands, Stevens, NYUs, etc. and just two games could help their SOS. By the way, Massey's number means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Isn't Massey's SOS one of the primary criteria?  Or does the NCAA use a different SOS (their own)?

Surely you jest?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I think the point is, scrap the Coast Guards, Mitchells and maybe others for Ramapos, Rhode Islands, Stevens, NYUs, etc. and just two games could help their SOS. By the way, Massey's number means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Isn't Massey's SOS one of the primary criteria?  Or does the NCAA use a different SOS (their own)?

Surely you jest?

I do hope he is kidding

[sac]

scheduling is easy

[Greek Tragedy]

It was tongue in cheek because we all know Massey's SOS would be too legit for the NCAA to use.   

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

LOL Well, I would say that Massey isn't legit enough to be used... because they can't seperate the D3 teams schedules and such out of any other division or the NAIA, etc. That is a pretty big flaw.

[Greek Tragedy]

Good point, but we all know sometimes we wonder what the heck the NCAA is doing.

I previous post didn't come out very well.  Sorry for the confusion.     

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I think the SOS makes more sense these days especially when they release the information with the regional rankings. I have had less issues with the SOS over the last two seasons than what we couldn't see in the past.

[Greek Tragedy]

scheduling is easy

From what I heard, it's sometimes not as easy as it sounds.  But, I'm not in the Northeast!